'She is the heart of the positive culture that permeates her teams': admin supervisor wins People First Award of Merit

Administrative staff are not always recognized for the behind the scenes work they do – but people like 2018 People First Unsung Hero Award of Merit winner Renee Stephens more than deserve to be acknowledged.

“Renee is the heart of the positive culture that permeates her teams, and she deserves to be recognized," says her manager Kacey Dalzell (Mental Health and Substance Use) when talking about the award. “Each and every day she goes above and beyond to create an environment that works flawlessly and efficiently…And she does it with a smile on her face."

Highlights of Renee Stephens' work

Renee works as administrative supervisor for the Early Psychosis Intervention and Eating Disorders Program, located at the Goldcorp Mental Health Building in downtown Vancouver.

Her responsibilities are diverse: she ensures the administrative needs of both teams are met so that clinical staff can better serve clients struggling with severe mental illness, maintains work standards, and responds to facilities, equipment and staffing concerns. Renee is also co-chair of the building wide Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee, as well as Vancouver Community Administrative Committees.

“Renee is smart, diplomatic and caring: her demeanor, candor and effort transcends across the sixty plus staff that she interacts with daily," Kacey says. “She is so well liked that each and every person on [our] teams would do anything for her if Renee ever asked -- but she never does. Instead she is always asking how she can support everyone else."

"Our admin support staff touch each and every file"

On July 17, CEO Mary Ackenhusen stopped by the Goldcorp Mental Health Building to congratulate Renee for her award, as well as to meet with others working on the Early Psychosis Intervention and Eating Disorders teams.

VCH teams wouldn't be able to operate without the hard work of administrative staff like Renee, Kacey adds.

“I always remind people that while clinical staff might work with the clients at a personal level, our administrative support staff touch each and every file," she says. “Our programs would not function without the amazing staff that make sure the background work is done."